CEPHALOPODS: A FISH FULL OF SURPRISES

Possible from spring to late autumn, fishing for Cephalopoda offers real chances of success at the start of the season. Fun and very accessible, it is not uncommon to catch more than a dozen in a single session. Our guide will help you discover the basics of this technique.

EQUIPMENT

Rod and reel

To begin this technique,a simple and reliable set will guarantee you fun and cuttlefish at the water's edge. If you are fishing with lures, your set will be enough to start with.

There are rods specially designed for the practice of EGING. They are sensitive and resonant at the tip to make it easier to detect a touch. The size of these rods varies between 1.80 m and 2.40 m for fishing from the shore or a boat.

A reel of size 2000 or 3000 for casting will be perfectly suited. For the best retransmission of sensations during fishing, prioritise a thin braid between 8/100 and 15/100. For the leader, a fluorocarbon type wire between 25/100 and 35/100 is advised.

The cuttlefish lure

There are different types of lures for fishing Cephalopoda. Two are of particular note:

"Weighted"

These lures can be launched from afar for fishing from the shore just as well as from a boat. They are very effective for fishing near the bottom. EBIKA CAPERLAN jigs are weighted with zamak to ensure a lure with no sinker.

"Non-weighted"

These lures are used with dropper rigs. They can be rigged in conjunction with a weighted lure.

Colours

When choosing colours, the principle is simple:

- Natural colours for fishing in daylight when the water is clear.

- orange or pink colours for fishing fish in tinted waters.

#Caperlan Tip

At night, if touches are rare, you can attach a light stick above your lure to increase its attractiveness.

Sizes

The size of Cephalopoda lures ranges from 3 to 20 cm depending on the model. The sizes are expressed using a Japanese measure called EGI.

Main Sizes

EGI

CM

1.8

5

2.5

8

3.0

10

3.5

11

The smaller sizes (1.5/1.8/2.0) are suitable for fishing for cuttlefish while the larger sizes (2.5 to 4.0) are more appropriate for fishing big cuttlefish and squid.

MOVEMENTS FOR FISHING FOR CEPHALOPODS

A simple and effective movement consists of letting the lure sink down in the water until you feel a slight "toc", indicating that the jig is properly placed on the bottom. Then gently bring the lure back in. The latter will then "scrape along the bottom" to attract the squid that are nearby. If you do not feel any vibrations in your rod, it will be that your jig has stuck to the bottom. Slow down your movement in order to let down the lure again.

If you feel a weight settle on your lure, strike immediately. The movement must be sudden so that the cage attaches well to the cuttlefish.

If scraping the bottom doesn't work, you can try the technique called "bichi-bachi". Originally from Japan, this movement consists of letting the lure down to mid-water level, then tapping the rod energetically upwards (3-4 times) before a short pause. The touch usually comes during the pause.

You can alternate these two movements as much as you want until you find the most productive one. Cephalopoda fishing is not an exact science and the winning technique can vary from one day to another.

OUR ADVICE FOR MAKING THE DIFFERENCE

- If using a phosphorescent lure, remember to take a UV lamp with you to charge the jig.

- Night fishing is more productive than day fishing. Think about it!

- A cuttlefish that becomes unhooked is not lost! Simply relaunch the luring where it became unhooked to attract the Cephalopoda again. This principle does not apply if the cuttlefish has ejected its ink.

- When they sense danger, Cephalopoda eject ink. This thick black liquid is very messy. Watch our for it splashing your clothes...

- Always keep a box of weights with you so you can quickly adjust the weight of the lure in order to fish at the right depth.

- A fine brush can effectively clean the cage of the jig without pricking your fingers. The UKIYO rod incorporates a fine brush in the butt cap.

- If you are fishing in the Atlantic, it's better to go out when the tide coefficient is low (<70).

- Make sure you change position frequently in order to find the Cephalopoda

You now have all the information you need to get started with Cephalopoda fishing in the best conditions.